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Jehlum Post News| Srinagar| Jan 17, 2015| Governor, Mr. N.N. Vohra interacted with the stakeholders of tourism, traders, handloom and transport sectors besides houseboat owners and members of Civil Society today. Directing speedy response to the grievances of members of Civil Society and other associations, the Governor asked Vice Chairman LAWDA and Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation for immediately streamlining the issuance of building permissions for the reconstruction of houses and hotels to the flood affected persons under a single window system. He also asked for the labour rates to be fixed and publicized.The Governor also directed for prescribing the quality and standard for pesticides which are used

by orchardists after consultation with Vice Chancellor SKUAST and officers of Horticulture Department.Regarding the demands for the revival of tourism industry in the State, Mr. Vohra directed Secretary Tourism to organize publicity campaigns throughout the country to attract a large number of tourists to visit the State.Responding to the conduct of school examinations, the meeting was informed that the exams had been only postponed and shall be conducted at the due time.

The Governor also stressed for the timely redressal of public grievances and said that he had asked Chief Secretary to set up the Winter Secretariat at Srinagar also.It was also given out in the meeting that exemption of VAT returns, Entry Tax and Stamp Duty have already been notified.Among others, the meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Principal Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, besides officers of district administration Srinagar.Emphasizing the need to expedite the relief and rehabilitation measures for flood affected people, the Governor, Mr. N.N. Vohra has called for gearing up of officers at all levels for responsive administration. The Governor was chairing a high level meeting to review the relief and rehabilitation measures for flood affected people in the Valley.Divisional Commissioner Kashmir while apprising about the relief and rehabilitation measures for flood affected people informed that about 170 crores have been distributed among the flood affected victims as ex-gratia relief for damaged houses and rent on account of accommodation. He also informed that over 200 temporary structures have been constructed in different districts of the Valley besides the administration has facilitated the construction of 600 temporary structures involving different NGOs.It was also given out that roads, bridges, water supply schemes which were extensively damaged during the floods have been restored.The Governor was informed that free ration has been provided for the flood affected families for three months.The Governor also reviewed the supply position of power, restoration of breaches, roads, PHE schemes, damage to crops and infrastructure. He directed the PDD to ensure stable power supply to the people and directed for maintaining vigil and take necessary preventive measures in this regard.Mr. Vohra also exhorted for intensifying market checkings to ensure availability of adequate stocks of essential commodities especially Kerosene oil and LPG. He also asked for accelerating the drive for removal of encroachments and illegal structures from the water bodies and state land. The Governor urged the officers to attend to the issues of public interest with due sensitivity and with a sense of responsibility. Mr. Vohra asked the officers to review all pending cases for early decision. He also urged the officers to take all initiatives to improve public service delivery.The Governor, Mr. N.N. Vohra undertook an extensive visit of flood hit areas of district Srinagar to assess the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken to provide succor to the affected families. Among other places, the Governor visited Raj Bagh, Barzulla, Bemina and Lal Chowk. At Raj Bagh, Mr. Vohra interacted with the affected people and gave a patient hearing to their grievances. He issued on spot directions to Deputy Commissioner Srinagar for allotment of pre- fabricated structures to flood affected families. He also directed the administration to ensure disbursement of all relief cheques within a week’s time positively.At Barzulla, the Governor inspected the ongoing works for strengthening of embankments and bridging of breaches.The Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control apprised the Governor about the status of ongoing restoration works. At Bemina, the Governor inspected the pre-fabricated shelters constructed for flood victims. While interacting with the people at Bemina, he assured them full support of his administration in mitigating the grievances of the affected people. Later, the Governor undertook a tour of the commercial hub of Lal Chowk city also.Among others, Principal Secretaries, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Administrative Secretaries, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Heads of Departments, besides officers of district administration Srinagar accompanied. Among others, the Chief Secretary, Mr. Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Director General Police, Principal Secretaries of Planning, Finance and Power Development departments, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Administrative Secretaries of Tourism, PWD, Revenue, Health, CA&PD, Vice Chairman LAWDA, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar besides divisional level officers attended the meeting. The Associations who were present in the meeting included the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kashmir Hotel Owners Association, Traders and Manufacturers Association, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Gurdwara Prabandak Committee, Transporters Association, Kashmir Hoteliers Association, House Boat Owners Association, J&K Handloom Union, Adventure Tourism Operators Union, FCIK, CCIK, TAAK, SERF, IATO, besides members of Civil Society.

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President Pranab Mukherjee confers the Padma Vibhushan to Amitabh Bachchan, left, during a civil investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi on 8-4-15. - AP Photo/ Manish Swarup

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The controversy around Nestle's Maggi noodles has caused panic throughout the nation and it doesn't look like it will die down any time soon.

After the initial test results by Uttar Pradesh Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed harmful levels of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead in Maggi, various states across India and even Bangladesh conducted tests on Maggi to find out whether the food product is safe or not.

The controversy around Maggi has led to tests being conducted across the country.

The entire controversy began when the UP FDA last month asked Nestle India to withdraw a batch of Maggi noodles "which were manufactured in February 2014" after it found high levels of added MSG, a taste enhancer, in the noodles and lead beyond permissible limits.